Justine Masika is the coordiantor of a women’s human rights organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She and her family have been targeted by the military because of her work. Soldiers tied up her six children at gunpoint, sexually assaulted one daughter and attempted to rape another daughter. The soldiers involved were identified but have not been arrested.
Take Action
Sign your name to petition the Chief Military Prosecutor in DRC, Joseph Ponde Isambwa, to:
- Immediately protect human rights defender Justine Masika and her family
- Conduct an immediate, full and impartial investigation into the attack on Justine Masika’s family, including the sexual assault and attempted rape of her daughter, with the perpetrators brought promptly to justice
- Allow human rights defenders in the DRC can carry out their work free from harassment.
We will also let Justine Masika know you have taken action for her.
Justine’s story
Justine works as the coordinator of the women’s human rights organisation, Synergie des Femmes contre les Violences Sexuelles (SFVS).
In September 2007, soldiers forced their way into Justine’s home while she was out, and tied up her six children at gunpoint. One of the soldiers assaulted her eldest daughter, then sexually assaulted and attempted to rape another daughter.
Justine returned home during the attack and immediately telephoned the authorities. In a search of the neighbourhood with the military police, Justine and her children identified the soldiers involved in their attack. The military police refused to arrest the men and claimed that there was no evidence against them.
Justine lodged a legal complaint against the soldiers. In the following weeks and months, senior military and civilian authorities promised Justine that justice would be done. However, the men have still not been arrested or brought to trial.
Justine regularly sees the same men in the streets that attacked her children in their home. They continue to threaten her. Justine’s five-year-old son now fears he will be killed whenever he sees a soldier. Her two daughters have fled abroad.
Rape in DRC
Rape and sexual violence are endemic in the DRC, particularly in the east of the country. The main perpetrators are members of Congolese and foreign armed groups, along with soldiers and police. Over the last few years an increasing number of sexual attacks by civilians have also been reported. Many rapes, especially those by armed groups, involve genital mutilation or other extreme acts of brutality. Some groups also abduct girls and women as sex slaves.
Very few perpetrators of sexual violence are brought to justice. In 2006, a new law was introduced to strengthen judicial procedures and penalties for sexual crimes, but it has not been widely implemented. Rape survivors are stigmatised, suffering social and economic exclusion. Few have access to adequate medical care.
The continuing rape crisis in the DRC is part of a broader pattern of violence and endemic discrimination against women in the country.
